We are pleased to announce that the necessary paperwork is now completed and Michael Raynes is a Mansfield Town player.

The 6ft 4in centre-half has over 250 league appearances to his name and joins on a free transfer from Oxford United. The club has an option to extend his contract at the end of the season, if necessary.

The 27-year-old started his career with Stockport County, where he spent six seasons, having made his debut aged just 17. Despite his tender years, Raynes’ maturity and impressive displays meant that he was occasionally captain of the side.

He then moved to Scunthorpe United in February 2010 and subsequently Rotherham United, before he joined Oxford in July 2012, where he made 69 appearances.

Manager Adam Murray said: "Michael is an experienced Football League defender and is organiser and a leader. He's a no-nonsense type defender who also has the ability to be comfortable in possession of the ball.

"We managed to fight off interest from three other clubs in the higher regions of the league and it's credit to Michael that he has chosen to join us, because he sees the vision of what we're trying to do here."

Raynes could make his debut for us tomorrow afternoon when we make the trip to promotion-chasing Burton Albion.

Defender Michael Raynes says the way that boss Adam Murray wants his team to play football was a major factor in his move to Mansfield Town.

The 27-year-old, who operates at centre-back, was unveiled as our sixth signing of the transfer window earlier today - agreeing a deal until the end of the season.

Raynes boasts plenty of pedigree at this level. Most recently with Oxford United, where he enjoyed a two-and-a-half-year stay, the defender also helped Stockport County to promotion from this league in 2007/08.

“I’m glad it’s all over,” said Raynes. “It’s been a tough couple of days. Obviously I left Oxford and being out of work is a bit scary. When this came about I jumped at the chance to come and play here.

“To leave a club after two-and-a-half years, where I’ve had security for that time, and to go into the big bad world was scary. I had a couple of calls, then it all went quiet, then it picked up again, which is the way that football is.

“I think I left Oxford at a bad time as it was a week before the transfer window opened and nobody could do anything. I had a couple of offers, but this one seemed like the right move for me.

“I spoke to the gaffer [Adam Murray] and everything fell into place.”

Asked why a move to One Call Stadium appealed to him, he said: “The way [the manager wants the team] to play seemed like it had my name written all over it.

“I’ve heard the team is trying to change [the way they play]. They had a perception for being a very long ball team over the last couple of years, but I think you need to have both sides of a game to do well in this league.

“Looking at the boys [in training] today, there’s players here who can do that. When you’ve got to go long, you do it, but there are some very good footballers in the changing room too.

“For me it’s the perfect signs of a club that wants to do well in this league.”

He continued: “My agent has got a couple of other players here. He said that the way things are going it looks like it’s a good club to be at, and I’ve always enjoyed playing here.

“So I’m glad to be back up north after being down south for two-and-a-half years. I’m a northern boy and I needed to get back home.”

Raynes also revealed he consulted with winger Junior Brown, who was his team-mate at the Kassam Stadium, before agreeing this move.

“I spoke to Junior,” added the defender. “We went through a similar phase [at Oxford] and we knew our time was up there. He sung the praises of the gaffer here and couldn’t have sold the club to me any more.”

Michael Raynes’ first interview as a Mansfield Town player will be available on Stags Player later today. To subscribe, click here.

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EARLIER STORIES:

Murray: Deal is close to sign defender
mansfieldtown.net, 8th January 2015

Boss confirms that deal to bring Michael Raynes to One Call Stadium is close to fruition.

Mansfield have already brought in Billy Kee on loan from Scunthorpe United and yesterday added former Notts County midfielder Ricky Ravenhill as well as completing a permanent deal with winger Junior Brown.

And there could be a fifth signing on the horizon, with former Stockport County, Scunthorpe United and Rotherham United centre-back Raynes on the verge of a move.

“We’re just crossing the ‘T’s and dotting the ‘I’s now,” said Murray.

“We’re virtually done on that one so it should be done for Saturday.

“He’s got Football League experience he’s played just under 300 Football League games, which is massive to our group.

“We looked at it before the signings and we didn’t even have 1,000 games in the dressing room.

“When you are in situations where you need that little bit of experience, that bit of nous, these are the players you count on to pull you out and keep you in games.

“He’s an organiser and another leader that will come into the group. He will help the boys around him.”

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EARLIER STORIES:

Junior Brown and Michael Raynes released by Oxford United
7 Jan 2014, by David Pritchard, Oxford Mail

JUNIOR Brown and Michael Raynes have left Oxford United by mutual consent.

Brown has agreed a permanent deal at Mansfield Town and is due to be joined at Field Mill by Raynes, whose switch is yet to be finalised.

It is a return to the Stags for Brown, who joined them on a temporary basis in November, scoring once in five appearances before the loan expired last weekend.

It was enough for Mansfield player-manager Adam Murray, a former U’s midfielder, to agree a transfer for the 25-year-old until the end of the season, with the club having the option to extend his stay.

Brown was one of Michael Appleton’s first signings for the U’s, agreeing a 12-month deal in July after Fleetwood Town terminated his contract.

He was a regular early in the season, starting eight of the first nine games, but quickly fell out of favour.

Brown was substituted before half-time in the 1-1 draw at Southend United in September and started just one more game for the club, the 5-1 defeat at Cambridge United a month later.

Raynes looked set for a move to Hartlepool United for the start of the transfer window, but it broke down late last week.

The 27-year-old was pushed down the pecking order following Chey Dunkley’s arrival in November and wanted to move closer to his family in Manchester.